Paul W. Taylor

Paul W. Taylor (November 19, 1923 – October 14, 2015) was an American philosopher best known for his significant contributions to the field of environmental ethics. He dedicated four decades of his career to teaching philosophy at Brooklyn College and the City University of New York, eventually holding emeritus status. Taylor's seminal work, "Respect for Nature: A Theory of Environmental Ethics" (1986), introduced his theory of biocentric egalitarianism. This theory, which shares connections with deep ecology but is distinct, posits that all living organisms, both flora and fauna, possess intrinsic value and thus warrant moral concern. Taylor went further than many biocentrists by asserting that humans are not inherently superior to other species and that all living things share equal inherent value. He meticulously developed principles for resolving conflicts that arise when human interests clash with those of plants and animals, emphasizing principles like nonmaleficence, non-interference, fidelity, and restitutive justice. While Taylor argued that only humans possess moral rights, he maintained that nonhuman organisms have inherent worth and should be treated with respect. His biocentric outlook challenged speciesism by advocating for "species impartiality" and the recognition of the independent good of each living entity.